ok. sorry about that little break. Actually, im not. Ive come here to talk to you all today about a subject very dear to my heart. Stem Cell Research.

As some of you may know, a resolution just passed in the house that will lift restrictions on stem cell research in America. it is very likely to pass in the senate as well. President Bush, for the first time as president, has threatened to veto the bill.

As many of you also know, my younger sister is a type 1 diabetic. The American Diabetes Association belives that if restrictions were lifted in America, by using stem cells, cells in the panracas can be regenerated, and a treatment can be developed in under 15 years. I think you can see where I stand on this issue...

now dont get me wrong. Matt doesnt like abortion at all. He'd sooner see it very restricted after the first triemester. But I dont see how banning stem cell research helps advance the pro-life movement.

Does banning stem cells "save" any move lives? Nope. These *embyros* are already discarded from labs. Already dead. If they arent used for research, they basically get thrown in the trash. Banning stem cell research will do nothing to lessen the number of the embyros that go into the garbage can.

But how many lives will be saved if we allow the research? hundreds of thousands of people suffering from diabetes, parkinsons, and more can be treated, and their lives extended. Some of these people will now be able to have children of their own. Look! More Life!

We have a moral and scientific obligation to give each other the best medical treatment we possibily can. Who can possibily look a diabetic in the eye, and deny treatment in favor of an already discarded hunk of cells? I challenge the chirstianity and compassion of such a person.

Im Matt Brown, and i just did the news

well, we were all wrong. The Vatican picks a very very old German to be the next Pope. Too bad. When reform is needed to keep things relevant in Europe and North America (im looking at something big, like allowing all priets to marry), and when latin america and Africa are looking for a bone to be thrown their way, the Vatican selects a guy who was once a member of Hitler Youth. (Thats not an lie. While I am certain that the next pope is a highly devout man, and, if he ever was (which i doubt), certainly isnt a Nazi now, he was in fact a member of hitler youth).

See, sitting at a crossroads now that will decide which direction the biggest christian church will go, do you think its wise to select a man with the potentional to be so divisve?

Best of luck Buddy, and may God be with you. I sure as heck wouldnt want your job right now

By the time you finish reading this article, or prehaps even as soon as Im done writing it, the Pope will have passed away. One of the most influencial historial figures, and a rock in the faith of many is about to no longer share this earth with us. Im no catholic by any means, but Im going to miss him.

PJP is really a pretty special person. He's survived being shot in 81 by some crazy turkish guy,  helped work agaisnt communisim, he's traveled the world, including while his health continues to fail him, and tried to lead a orginazation in a benevolent manner that has millions of members the world over. All of this while keeping a smile on his face. I really have to admit, Im impressed.

Me and the Pope dont see eye to eye on everything, be that theological or social issues, but I see a man who has dedicated his life to trying to serve the lord and the world in the best manner that he can. I have to respect that, and I do.

I dont know what lying ahead for the Catholic church. The next pope will certainly have his work cut out for him. He's got to try and find a way to recover the damage done to the American church after the priest scandal. The church needs to find a way to reactiveate its thousands upon thousands of members who have been baptised catholic, but no longer follow the church's teachings. If it decides it wants to continue to foray in politics, it needs to develop a consistance platform, and lobby for all of the things that they claim to be for and against. I wish the church leadership well in accomplishing these goals.

I'll miss that smiling mug of the Pope's on TV. Rest in Piece PJP